Stacy and Nate's romantic destination Clearwater Beach wedding combined a rustic beach ambiance with beach inspired centerpieces for a celebration filled with color and personality.
“I wanted something very simple with a touch of rustic elegance. We didn't want anything to feel stuffy or overly fancy, so instead, we made sure to capture a reflection of who we are as a couple,” the bride shared. “The fact that it was a destination wedding and all of our guests were from Chicago or Minnesota made our day that much more special. We were able to celebrate our love for each other, but also feel like we were on vacation with all of our closest friends and families. The memories we made truly will last a lifetime!”
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With the bride and groom envisioning their oceanside celebration, they turned to destination wedding planner Gulf Beach Weddings for their knowledge and expertise in the industry.
“Gulf Beach Weddings was extremely knowledgeable about Clearwater Beach. As soon as we met with them, we could tell that they truly cared about helping us plan our big day exactly how we pictured it,” the bride gushed. “The difference between Gulf Beach Weddings and other planning companies is they help you personalize your wedding as opposed to offering pre-made packages you can't customize. Overall, our experience with Gulf Beach was amazing, and Tracy was absolutely wonderful!”
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Determined to have their dog Addison a part of the wedding, Stacy and Nate were thrilled to discover a business that specializes in incorporating pets into the ceremony.
“I heard about FairyTail Pet Care and immediately thought, this is the key to including Addison in our wedding,” the bride beamed. “Prior to meeting with Ilana, I was very curious how everything would work out. I wondered who would watch Addison while I got ready or who would take her home after the ceremony. FairyTail Pet Care had all the answers to every single question I asked, and you could tell right away how great they were with animals. Ilana loves dogs and truly takes such pride in what she does. All my guests commented on how well she took care of Addison and how much she actually loved her. I couldn't be happier with the service they provided!”
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Reminiscing of their gorgeous destination Clearwater Beach wedding, the bride will never forget the journey down the aisle or dancing the night away.
“For me, the most memorable moment was walking down the aisle. I dreamt of that moment for a long time, and it was surreal to finally see Nate at the end of it. We were on a crowded beach but I felt like I didn't hear any noise,” the bride reminisced. “Getting to dance with all of our family and friends all night long was something else we really enjoyed. It was quite literally the best day ever, and I wish I had a time machine to go back and do it all again!”
The Proposal:
Nate and I planned a trip to Mexico for September 2018 where we would be staying at the amazing Secrets Akumal resort. We were super excited about this trip because it was our first trip out of the country together at an all-inclusive resort. Being completely obsessed with the beach and the warm weather, we made sure that the first morning we woke up early enough to watch the sunrise. All of my friends told me they thought we would get engaged in Mexico, but I really didn't think Nate had a ring with him because he didn't pack a carry on for the trip, and I knew he wouldn't put it in a checked bag. We went to the beach at 5:45 a.m. and while I was sitting in a beach chair, apparently he was planning exactly where the perfect picture would be taken. He claimed he found a dollar bill in the sand and went to go give it to one of the workers that was cleaning the beach. Little did I know, he was actually scoping out the perfect location and asking someone to take a picture for us. We went to take a picture on a wooden boardwalk near an adorable wooden gazebo and that's where he proposed. It was perfect timing and at the moment, we were the only ones on the beach!
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Gulf Beach Weddings was extremely knowledgeable about Clearwater beach. As soon as we met with them, we could tell that they truly cared about helping us plan our big day exactly how we pictured it. The difference between Gulf Beach Weddings and other planning companies is they help you personalize your wedding as opposed to offering pre-made packages you can't customize. Overall, our experience with Gulf Beach Weddings was amazing, and Tracy was absolutely wonderful!
I want to learn more about destination weddings from Gulf Beach Weddings
Why did you choose to incorporate your pet in your wedding day?
My dog, Addison is a huge part of my life. She is 7-years-old and has been with me through ups and downs. I couldn't imagine having my wedding without her in it! I knew that when I got married, it would be really important for me to somehow incorporate her into our big day. She is our little princess and a huge part of our lives. We just love her so much!
I want to learn more about including my pet in my wedding from FairyTail Pet Care
I heard about FairyTail Pet Care and immediately thought, this is the key to including Addison in our wedding. Prior to meeting with Ilana, I was very curious how everything would work out. I wondered who would watch Addison while I got ready or who would take her home after the ceremony. FairyTail Pet Care had all the answers to every single question I asked, and you could tell right away how great they were with animals. Ilana loves dogs and truly takes such pride in what she does. All my guests commented on how well she took care of Addison and how much she actually loved her. I couldn't be happier with the service they provided!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I wanted something very simple with a touch of rustic elegance. We didn't want anything to feel stuffy or overly fancy, so instead, we made sure to capture a reflection of who we are as a couple;
What were your colors?
Blush pink and grey. I wanted something classic and simple yet still romantic. We had some lovely pinks and oranges in our centerpieces as well.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Keep it simple, don't sweat the small stuff, and make sure to enjoy your day because it goes by so quickly!
Reception Venue: Island Way Grill
Photographer: Love and Covenant
Ceremony Planner: Gulf Beach Weddings *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Leaf It To Us
Cake: Publix
DJ: Arista Entertainment
Officiant: Al Wagner (Friend)
Invitations: Costco
Dress Shop: David's Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Camposecco Artistry
Pet Care: FairyTail Pet Care *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
